Governor Abbott Vetoes HB 61

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto House Bill No. 61 as passed by the Eighty-Fifth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:

I have signed House Bill 22, which reforms our public school accountability system to provide additional transparency on school performance. Multiple provisions of House Bill 61 are based on the existing accountability system, which was overhauled by House Bill 22. Additionally, parts of House Bill 61 regarding the use of video cameras in special education classrooms are already adequately addressed by Senate Bill 1398, which I have signed.

Since the Eighty-Fifth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 15th day of June, 2017.